Still Not Ready For A Rainy Day

TNN | Updated: Jun 25, 2019, 12:01 IST

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MOHALI: Around 40% of the storm water drains and road gullies are blocked, drowning the tall claims of the municipal corporation of being ready to face the monsoon. The civic body has claimed they have cleaned only 60% of the road gullies, removing plastic and poly bags. Councillors believe lack of coordination among multiple agencies tasked with maintaining the drainage system is the reason behind the delay in the work. Councillor Arun Sharma said, “Drains need to be cleaned with a suction machine, so that plastic is removed to facilitate the flow of water and prevent waterlogging. In Phase V, road gullies have not been cleaned, let alone the drains.” The roads gullies in industrial areas are choked with wild growth, while most of the drains are blocked with plastic and garbage, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the authorities in implementing the ban on plastic. Although the MC has cleaned N-choe of wild growth — the major cause of flooding in various parts of the city in 2017 — they are still to pay attention towards other seasonal rivulets crossing Mohali, like Patiala ki Rao (behind Balongi), N-choe (passing through Phases IX, X, and Sector 67) and Lakhnour choe (near Phase XI) are the ones carrying storm water of Mohali streets. Wild growth in such rivulets restrict the natural gradient resulting in the back flow of the water flooding the roads and houses. A report by experts after Mohali got flooded in August 2017 due to the rains has opined that the rise in plinth level of roads is disrupting the natural gradient, which caused the flood-like situation. Despite this report, the civic body has not taken any measures to prevent a repeat.

Residents fear that they may have to face the wrath of monsoon again. Experts claimed there was no waterlogging for over 20 years ago as the roads were not above the plinth level. Navdeep Asija, a roads and traffic expert said, “Now, roads dividing sectors are above the plinth level of houses, resulting in rainwater flowing into houses. The authorities have been flouting the norms by laying pre-mix without digging up the roads.” The tall claims of Mohali MC to get relief from waterlogging remains on papers as a year has passed when on August 27, rains cause havoc in Mohali with water entering houses of the residents and causing major damage to vehicles, buildings and household items.